Hopkins Agility Brake Controller Does Not Activate Trailer Brakes when Brake Pedal is Pressed

Question:

Ive recently contacted you about a hooking up a Hopkins brake controller. The problem is that there is no signal from the brake pedal. Your suggestion to watch the video, which we did and the wiring is correct. There is still no indicator light on the brake controller. Do you have any further suggestions?

asked by: Bob R

Expert Reply:

If all of the wires are connected to the correct wires on the vehicle, you could have a blown stop light fuse. Use the owners manual or the legend on the power distribution box lid (if present) to find the location of the stop light fuse to inspect it. If that fuse is blown then the signal on the brake wire (red on the brake controller) will not come through.

You can also test the tow package wiring to make sure you are connected to the correct wire. It is possible that the wire needed is a different color. This can happen if the factory ran out of a certain color. They will not stop the assembly line but will use a different color instead.

Use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to probe the wires. You need the wire that only shows a signal when the brake pedal is pressed. If it shows a signal at any other time, such as when the head lights or turn signals are on then it is not the correct wire.

If the fuse is good but the wire in the tow package wiring is not working, you can tap into the brake switch wiring. Again use the circuit tester and locate the wire that only shows a signal when the brake pedal is pressed.

Once you have made the connections, make sure to follow the installation details, linked for reference, to set up the controller. Then perform some low speed tests. If it still is not working then that would indicate there is a problem with the brake controller circuitry and it will need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Michael H